When you see freshman Maci Ahlmann in the hallways, you might say hi or give her a quick smile, and without a doubt, she’ll always give you a grin back.

That’s just the kind of person she is. 

“I’ve never seen anything negative about her… that’s kind of her nature,” AFJROTC Chief Antonio Kitt said.

While many high schoolers hit the snooze button in the mornings, Ahlmann spends her mornings doing the unexpected: picking up trash. 

Although this may not seem like a typical hobby, it has become second nature for her. 

“I never was much of a playground kid, really,” Ahlmann said. “In elementary school … at recess, I either grew up playing basketball or picking up trash. Eventually, I started going on walks with my grandma, Bubby, and now I bring a trash bag with me everywhere. I just really like to see the environment clean. I’m glad it’s finally being recognized. I’ve probably been picking up trash since I was around 8.” 

For her whole life, the same passion has consumed her mind: keeping the space around her clean. 

“From when I was a toddler, I was always at my Bubby’s house cleaning up all the candy wrappers on the floor from my little cousins,” Ahlmann said. “I’ve always cared a lot about the environment, especially because of animals too. You’d be surprised at the amount of stuff I find in one day.” 

Support – and recognition – has followed. 

“Actually, (in March) I got awarded a Certificate of Appreciation (from the Derby Police Department),” she said. “I was just stunned, like, ‘oh my God.’ In front of the whole class. It was cool because we were just chilling, and there were three cops, and they were looking at me.”

After a long time, her hard work began to pay off.

“Maci has been a good steward keeping our city clean for the last three years. How incredibly lucky we are to have Maci doing her part in keeping our city beautiful,” the Derby Police Department wrote on Facebook in April.

“I’m glad it’s finally being noticed for the years I’ve been doing this,” Ahlmann said. 

Inside the school, she continues to advocate for and showcase her hard work through AFJROTC and other activities. 

“I’ve never seen anything negative about her, so that’s a big thing,” Chief Kitt said. “She likes to keep her uniform in the proper manner, she helps the environment stay clean around us as well as outside. 

“Not only that, but when she’s out and about, she’ll mention that she’s in ROTC. That’s how those officers knew where to find and award her.” 

Following her road of individualism, Ahlmann is planning on making room in her future schedule so she can still focus on cleaning the environment periodically.

“My dream is to have my own business someday because I want a job that’s flexible, that way I can do this in my free time,” she said. “I hope to continue doing it for as long as I live. It’s a good hobby, and I just want people to see it and say I should do that.”